Bombs Over Kandahar

Bombs on target. Seven 2000lbs bombs going into enemy compounds after the ambush on September 3, 2006 during Operation Medusa in Kandahar Province.

Searching For Mines

Photograph by Department of Defense -- Public Domain

Two Marines use minesweepers to detect land mines as they conduct a security patrol in August 2011 to suppress enemy activity. 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8.

Surveillance Mission

Photograph by Department of Defense -- Public Domain

Two soldiers take surveillance with binoculars and gun as part of an Afghan National Army-led mission to clear the area of narcotics.

Greeting Children

Photograph by Department of Defense -- Public Domain

A Marine kneels beside two small Afghan children on an Afghanistan roadside. He is part of the Marine Air Ground Task Force and Regional Command (Southwest) -- the Marine ground combat element in 2011.

Gaining Local Trust

Photograph by Department of Defense -- Public Domain

A Marine shakes hands with an Afghan boy. Marines with the 3rd Battalion 2nd Marine Regiment (3/2), Regimental Combat Team 8, patrol through a Bazaar in July 2011. The Marines patrol the Bazaar to gain the trust of locals.

An Aerial View

Photograph by Department of Defense -- Public Domain

A soldier gazes out the back of a helicopter as it flies over a valley near the Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan

Soldiering On

Photograph by John Stephen Vlasis II

A soldier continues on through a remote valley in Afghanistan.

Weapon Firing

Photograph by Brendan O'Byrne

A soldier from the 173rd Airborne Brigade fires a javelin in the Korengal Valley.

Guarding the Bazaar

Photograph by Department of Defense -- Public Domain

U.S. Marine stands patrol at a bazaar as people dressed in white commute. He is part of the Marine Air Ground Task Force and Regional Command (Southwest) -- the Marine ground combat element in 2011.